In my letter of the 27th of September last I expressed my wish, "that the Court of Spain should give orders for the shipment of a million of dollars at the Havana, free of duties, and to be convoyed by one or more ships of the line to an American port," &c. Upon further reflection, I am induced to believe that the Court of Spain will not go into the whole of this arrangement; for although they may, and probably will, agree to so much of it as will procure them an equivalent in France for the one million dollars, to be shipped from the Havana, yet there are reasons to doubt whether they will convoy the Washington hither. I wish, therefore, (should you meet with difficulties in that quarter) to apply to the Court for such convoy. I wish it may consist of a ship of the line, because none but frigates will cruise on this coast during the winter, and therefore a ship of the line will afford more protection than two or three frigates. However, this will depend entirely on the convenience or inconvenience which may attend the business. I shall communicate both this letter and that of the 27th, to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, on whose representations I rely much, as well for procuring the aid asked for, as for accomplishing the necessary arrangements after it is procured.
I am, Sir, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS.
TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Finance, October 2d, 1782.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose for your Excellency's perusal, the copies of letters from this office to Dr Franklin, of the 27th of last month and the 1st instant. I am to entreat, Sir, that you will represent to your Court the necessity of the application, which Congress have directed their Minister to make for four millions of dollars. The resolutions on the subject have, I suppose, been communicated to you by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. I have, also, to request that you will facilitate the arrangements proposed in my letters already mentioned, the advantages of which are so well known to you that I shall not dwell on them.
With real esteem and respect, &c.